Last minute #bestgift guide www.fote.org.uk/Christmas

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Last minute. #bestgift guide. Don't worry if you've only just decided to do something to support older facing Christmas
Last minute #bestgift guide Don’t worry if you’ve only just decided to do something to support older facing Christmas Day alone – there are plenty of activities you can organise in a short space of time and help is at hand! Read our Last minute #bestgift guide and you’ll only be five steps away from making someone’s Christmas Day a one to remember. 1. Get help – two heads are better than one, and so on and so forth. If there is a friend, relative or local group that could get involved, then give them a shout and get them on board.

2. Get planning – the most effective plans are often the simplest. Take a look at

our list of suggestions on the next page to get you started and read our Organising an activity with older people in mind guidance at www.beafriendtoday.org.uk.

3. Get publicising – once you’ve confirmed the what, when and where, start

getting the word out to potential guests. Think about putting notices in shop windows, at sheltered housing schemes and on community notice boards. Think about language – some people will not identify with being ‘lonely’ so use words like ‘get together’, ‘socialise’ and ‘make new friends’.

4. Get help (again) – local businesses are often happy to help out. Ask your

local pub to provide complimentary hot drinks on your return from a walk, or your local supermarket for free mince pies for your get together.

5. Get going – once the plans are made, the mince pies sourced and the guests

confirmed, there’s nothing left but to have an amazing time celebrating Christmas Day with people who would have otherwise spent the day alone.

www.fote.org.uk/Christmas

#bestgift ideas Quiz or secret Santa at your local pub Sherry and mince pies at your local community centre Christmas film screening in your village hall Tea and Christmas cake in your local sheltered housing common area Christmas lunch in your work canteen Festive picnic in your local sports club clubhouse Christmas walk around your local park Board games at your local working men’s club Christmas readings in your local church hall Music and dancing in your local community hall Christmas carols on your village green Table football at your local youth centre ‘Book alone but don’t dine alone’ scheme at your local restaurant or café For further guidance and extra publicity, register your activity for free on the Community Christmas website at www.communitychristmas.org.uk. Friends of the Elderly is the official partner of Community Christmas for 2015 – making sure no older person spends Christmas Day alone unless they want to.

Registered charity no 1164076

Registered charity no 226064